How Smart Meters Unfairly Penalize The Poor…


There’s a lot of controversy around the world these days about the implementation of smart meters, and a lot of arguments for and against them. I’ve thought about this issue a lot since I first heard of them- and, overall, I find myself against their implementation. I’ve recently met a group of people in Toronto who are organizing to allow people to opt-out of smart meters- I’m in the process of setting up a website for them now. You can find us at www.againstsmartmeters.ca.

There currently isn’t a lot of content- hence I am writing this article to get it going. If others would like to join us, please let me know. And, if you would like to contribute content for the site (articles, videos, graphics, etc) we’d appreciate your contribution.

One of the main reasons I’m against the implementation of mandatory smart meters is because they unfairly penalize people with lower incomes. Some of the impact is obvious, such as cost, and some is less discussed:

1.) Immediate Cost Increases Affect Everyone

Despite how the power companies are spinning the story, it appears that most people who I’ve surveyed have been subject to immediate raises in their power bills. I’ve spoken to ten people, 6 in British Columbia and 4 in Ontario- out of this group, nine of them have had their first smart meter bills go up by between 20-35%. This issue effects everyone, whether rich or poor.

2.) Electromagnetic Radiation 

Smart meters have built-in radios that transmit usage information to the power company. As with immediate cost increases, this is an issue that effects everyone- but, there are ways in which has a higher impact on lower income people. First, lower income people live in smaller dwellings- so, they are likely to be spending more time next to the meters. Next, for people who live in multi-tenant dwellings, they are likely to be living next to banks of multiple smart meters, all transmitting electromagnetic radiation into their homes. And, for people who live in older, wooden, buildings- they will be less shielded from these banks of meters.

3.) Time-Based Hydro Rates

People who are unemployed, and retired people on fixed-incomes are likely to be at home in the daytime. Smart Meters charge a higher rate for daytime energy- so, those who are at home in the daytime will pay a higher cost to run their electricity. This is particularly true for people who have electric based heat- they will be the most hard hit.

4.) Appliance Efficiency

Lower income people often have older appliances in their homes. These appliances tend to be less energy efficient, and they lack features like delay buttons and timers that enable them to run the appliances during hours with lower rates. While there are grants to help with the cost of new appliances, people with lower and fixed incomes are less able to afford the upfront costs of upgrading.

I’m curious to hear other people’s opinions on this article- particularly if you can identify other areas where smart meters have an unequal impact on people with low and fixed incomes. And, if you are interested in joining the fight against Smart Meters in Toronto, stay-tuned to our website for an announcement on when we will be scheduling our meetings.

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